One of the big questions asked by many in the online poker community is “Why isn’t online poker being embraced by states as they have sports betting?” You may think that answer is a complex one, but it comes down to a simple explanation. According to reports from the states themselves, their tax revenues are… Read more »
Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ Three Casinos Fined for Taking Bets on In-State College Teams
Decent action on Harvard All three casinos in Massachusetts have been fined by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for accepting illegal sports bets. The fines, announced Tuesday, total $50,000. In February, MGM Springfield took wagers on two games involving in-state college teams. There are exceptions in cases when the team is involved in a tournament, but… Read more »
No Online Poker or Casino Gaming in New York in 2023
At the start of the year, there were hopes that the state of New York would be joining those states who have passed online casino and poker legislation. After the introductory period for the current year’s budgets in the New York State Legislature concluded, however, that did not come to pass. That means that, for… Read more »
Encore Boston Harbor Messed Up Sports Betting in Massachusetts Again
The Encore Boston Harbor casino in Massachusetts just can’t seem to get this sports betting thing right. For the second time in the state’s first month with legal retail sports betting, Encore Boston Harbor taken illegal wagers. And once again, the bets were taken on a Boston College women’s basketball game. In Massachusetts, though college… Read more »
Who Might Be the Next Entry into Online Gaming? Would You Believe Rhode Island?
One of the parlor games that the gaming industry likes to play is “Which state will be the next to pass online gaming regulations?” Of course, there are the usual suspects – California, Texas, and Florida, to name a few – but there is one state lurking out there that has escaped notice…that is until… Read more »
Encore Boston Harbor, Plainridge Park Run Afoul of Massachusetts Sports Betting Regulations
That was quick. About a week after sports betting became legal in Massachusetts, two of the casinos in the state that offer wagering violated regulations. Fortunately, what Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park Casino did was not particularly egregious and both self-reported. The violation: taking bets on games involving in-state college teams. Specifically, Encore Boston… Read more »
Legal Massachusetts Sports Betting Goes Live
Retail sports betting first, then online Massachusetts has finally joined most of its neighbors, as its legal sports betting market has gone live. As of 10:00am Tuesday, people located within the borders of the Commonwealth can place bets at one of three brick-and-mortar casinos: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino. All just… Read more »
New Pandemic Measures Require Massachusetts Casinos to Close Overnight
Pandemic roller coaster The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously been devastating to casinos, but things are about to get worse for the few in Massachusetts. This week, Governor Charlie Baker announced a slew of “targeted measures” to slow the spread of the virus. The United States is in its “third wave” of the pandemic right now,… Read more »
Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield Want to Relaunch Craps, Roulette
Need that revenue to flow again Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield have asked the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for the go-ahead to open up their craps and roulette tables. The Commission will consider the request, scheduled to have a virtual meeting to discuss the matter at 10:00am Thursday. “We appreciate the Gaming Commission’s consideration of… Read more »
No Poker When Massachusetts Casinos Reopen
Poker players will have to wait On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved the health and safety guidelines for reopening casinos. The main takeaway for our readers: there will be no poker for a while. No date has been set yet for when Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino will be allowed… Read more »